WASHINGTON (March 29, 2009)  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) includes more than $52 million for Maryland through the Department of Energys (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. Charles County is the only So. Md. county slated to receive funds. The announcement came Friday from U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin (both D-Md.).

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program will provide formula grants for projects that reduce total energy use and fossil fuel emissions, as well as projects that improve energy efficiency nationwide. The $52 million in funding Maryland will receive through DOEs Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program will go to Marylands state energy office, Marylands city governments, and Marylands county governments.

Marylands state energy office will receive $9,593,500.

Funding for Marylands city governments include: $171,700 for Annapolis; $6,372,700 for Baltimore; $464,000 for Bowie; $133,700 for College Park; $614,700 for Frederick; $578,000 for Gaithersburg; $179,500 for Hagerstown; $93,000 for Laurel; $683,300 for Rockville; $147,400 for Salisbury.

It is critical to Americas national security and economy that we replace the oil we import with alternative energy sources that we produce right here at home, Senator Mikulski said. Energy investments like this one will create new good-paying jobs in cities and towns across America. The investments we make now will pay dividends in the years to come by helping Marylanders reduce their monthly energy bills and accelerate our nations transition to a more sustainable and secure energy future.

Senator Cardin said, It is critical to our nations national security and future that we end our dependence on foreign energy. This funding will help Maryland families and businesses reduce their energy consumption while also reducing our use of fossil fuels and the amount of carbon dioxide that threatens our environment.

For more information about the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, visit www.energy.gov/recovery.